This blog was created for Niles Animal Hospital & Bird Medical Center by Peter S. Sakas DVM in an effort to provide information & discussion about animal related issues. It may move into some eccentric directions on occasion if the mood strikes me as I get more comfortable in this form of communication. I am open to suggestions & comments about the blog. Also view our hospital website www.nilesanimalhospital.com or Facebook page Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center.

Measuring the bite force of a piranha -- the beast we all remember in
movies as turning some poor explorer into all bone and no flesh --
seems like no fun at all.

You catch one, hold the tail with one hand, the belly with the other and get the thing to bite a force gauge.
Scientists say the black piranha was built to bite. It has huge jaw
muscles and tendons like ropes. Those two assets account for 2 percent
of the fish's weight.

The jaw has evolved into a level that the scientists describe as "one
of the highest jaw-closing mechanical advantages ever identified in
fishes."

To borrow a phrase, it's not the size of the fish in the fight but the size of the fight in the fish.

China responds to complaints about dog treats

MORGAN HILL, Calif. (KGO) --
A number of dog owners around the nation have complained about their
pets getting sick or even dying after eating chicken treats that were
made in China. Now, the Chinese government has responded to these
complaints in a letter addressed to a California congressman.

Rachael Chambers of Morgan Hill lost her dog "Cali" last
May. Her other dogs also became sick after eating chicken treats made in
China. "It's been sad and hard on our family, but I think what's been
harder is to understand why almost seven months later there's more dead
dogs and nothing has changed," Chambers told ABC7 News. Since then, she
has been relentlessly campaigning to have the treats recalled.

The Food and Drug Administration acknowledges it has received thousands
of complaints. Most recently, Bay Area Congressman Jerry McNerney wrote
to the Chinese government asking to "consider halting production of
these chicken jerky treats until the FDA can determine whether or not
the products contain tainted material."

The Chinese government finally wrote back slamming the FDA for putting
an advisory alert on its website even though the exact cause of these
deaths has not been determined. The Chinese government wrote, "From the
perspective of the Chinese side, there might be something wrong with the
FDA's investigation guidance."

Dr. Jaspal Harika at the
Morgan Hill Animal Hospital performed the necropsy on Cali. "I don't
believe that. They really know what they do. They're one of the top
scientists and research workers," he said.

The letter from the
People's Republic of China also warned not to influence public opinion
and "to clear the name of Chinese pet food and eliminate the negative
impact thereof on Chinese pet food trade and bilateral relationship."

Chambers shared a picture showing last year's Christmas stockings
filled with the chicken treats that she says made her dogs sick. She
fears that this year, other dog owners will give them to their pets as
presents. In the letter, the Chinese government says it will not halt
production and urges the FDA to find out the truth as soon as possible.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

With the approaching storm and the return of winter, I felt re-posting this article was very topical.

How to
Protect Your Pet in Cold Weather

Peter S. Sakas DVM

Niles Animal
Hospital and Bird Medical
Center

7278 N.
Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL
60714

(847)-647-9325FAX (847)-647-8498

www.nilesanimalhospital.com

Protecting
Your Pet from the Winter Weather

Most people believe since dogs and cats have a coat of fur
they can tolerate winter cold very well and that they also possess the
necessary instincts to protect themselves from the cold. Unfortunately these
beliefs are not true. Dogs and cats are subject to the scourges of cold, wind
and snow/rain during the winter as we are. Their haircoat does serve as
insulation, reducing heat loss, but body heat is still lost, and through
prolonged exposure to cold they will begin to demonstrate signs of hypothermia
(lowered body temperature).

Some breeds are better suited to colder temperatures than
others. Dogs that have a fluffy type hair coat with a thick undercoat are able
to tolerate cold due to the insulative properties of this type of coat. Dogs
with a short haired or smooth type coat with no undercoat cannot tolerate cold
as well and will suffer its effect more rapidly. The age of the dog is a factor
as a puppy will chill more rapidly than an adult dog due to its small size,
thin hair coat and little or no body fat. Old dogs or dogs that are ill are
also at a greater risk for chilling. Even the size of the dog plays a role as a
large surface area to volume (as seen in toy or miniature breeds of dogs) leads
to increased heat loss. Large breeds of dogs have less surface area to volume
and thus lose heat less rapidly.

In addition to the effects of cold dogs and cats are also
subject to the dangers of wind chill. Wind passing over the animal will rapidly
draw heat from the body despite the insulation of the haircoat. Areas not
protected by hair or with a thin covering of hair can suffer the same effects
that exposed skin in people can during periods of severe wind chill.

The dangers of cold and wind are heightened if the dog or
cat is wet. Wet hair is no longer an effective insulator so cold/wind will
cause more rapid chilling. Even dogs with a thick undercoat will chill if both
coats are wet. In addition the evaporation of water from the skin/hair leads to
further heat loss, producing a further drop in temperature. If your pet is wet
after being in the snow or rain dry them off with a towel or a hair dryer set
on low. Drying them will minimize the lowering of body temperature through the
evaporation of the water.

How do we protect our pets from these dangers? Most importantly-if
it is dangerous for us to be outside, the same holds true for our pets. These
periodic "Arctic blasts" that we have endured are extremely hazardous
for our pets and they should remain indoors only venturing outdoors for
necessary short trips. During our "normal" winter temperatures most
dogs can do fairly well with short exposures. Dogs that are kept mainly in the
house suffer minimal effects if they spend short periods outdoors. Dogs at a
risk for chilling, such as shorthaired dogs, will do well if provided with a
coat when outdoors. Sweaters provide even more complete protection as they
cover the underside as well. Boots should also be used if the dog is to be
outside for an extended period of time and especially if their paws show
sensitivity to the cold.

Dogs that spend a great deal of time outdoors or are kept
outside will be more adapted to the rigors of winter, but certain practices
should be followed to insure their comfort. The biggest problem they face is
exposure to the cold, wind and rain/snow. They need shelter from the elements.
This shelter must be warm, out of the direct wind and raised off the ground.
You can make your own shelter or buy commercially available doghouses. To help
keep the dog warm the house should not be too large. If the house is too large
the dog will not be able to produce enough heat to keep itself and the
environment warm. The proper size should be just large enough for the dog to be
able to move around inside and lay down comfortably. Keeping the house elevated
a few inches off the ground will prevent moisture from entering through the
floor. Proper positioning is important. Keeping the opening of the house away
from the prevailing wind is a must. Another help is to provide a covering over
the door or a "pet door" to further keep the wind and cold out.

Bedding should also be provided for the inside of the
doghouse. Straw is commonly used for bedding, but it can harbor parasites and
other organisms, and with long term use, loses its insulative properties. The
type of bedding used should be cleaned and replaced frequently. Good choices
include a blanket or towels. Make sure that they remain clean and dry.

A serious problem dogs kept outdoors face in the winter is
dehydration. The water bowl should be constantly checked to be sure that an
adequate fresh source is available. Dogs lose fluids in the winter and can
dehydrate; it is not just a problem during the summer heat. Frequently check
the water bowl to be sure that the water does not freeze. Ice and snow are inadequate
to provide for the daily fluid needs and a cold animal is not going to lick or
chew ice anyway. A real help would be a heated water bowl, through the usage of
a special heater. Do not use metal bowls in the winter as in frigid
temperatures the tongue of a dog could stick to the bowl. If this occurs (or if
the tongue adheres to any frozen metal surface) do not try to pull the tongue
away from the surface. Use lukewarm water to gently warm the surface until the
tongue will easily separate.

Another tip is to groom your dog or cat regularly during the
winter. Matted hair is a less effective insulator. Regular brushings will
remove loose hairs and prevent matting. It will also enable you to dry your pet
more easily if it becomes wet.

Take care when playing with your dog on snow and ice. They
can fall just as you can and also suffer fractures or sprains of
muscles/ligaments. They are not indestructible. Also be careful when you and
your dog are near a frozen body of water. Dogs do not know that the ice may be
too thin to support their body weight. Avoid getting too close to the edge of
the ice as they may fall in or even unknowingly jump in. Practice good common
sense with your pet as well as yourself.

Wintertime
Hazards

In the previous section we discussed techniques on how to
protect your pet from the winter weather. In this portion we will cover some
particular problems associated with winter.

Hypothermia

As mentioned earlier dogs/cats that are exposed to the
elements can quite possibly develop hypothermia. Hypothermia is when the body
temperature drops below normal. When this occurs the animal is too cold to
produce enough heat to maintain their core (internal) body temperature. This
leads to impaired function of the internal organs, eventually the loss of
function and death.

Hypothermia may occur especially when a dog/cat is wet, cold
and exposed to wind. Be careful if your dog is wet after running in the field
with snow/rain, placed in the back of a truck and taken on the road. If wet,
dry thoroughly before engaging in that activity. Puppies, older dogs and dogs
suffering from illness are also more susceptible to hypothermia. It can also
occur when a dog that is not accustomed to the cold is left outside for an
extended period of time.

As hypothermia develops, the body temperature falls and
metabolic processes (body functions) slow down. The skin and extremities are
very susceptible to frostbite and freezing. Blood vessels in the skin contract
to direct blood to the internal organs to maintain their function. The heart
rate slows and the pulse weakens. Breathing becomes shallow and slow. The
animal may begin to shiver. They become mentally slow and the pupils may dilate
(widen). If the skin or extremities freeze they may turn bluish or pale and
show little or no feeling. They may lapse into a coma. In the end the heart
goes into ventricular fibrillation and stops.

Treatment begins by trying to return the internal
temperature to normal. Bring the animal indoors, dry it if wet and wrap it in
blankets/towels. They should be warmed slowly. A hypothermic dog may tend to
burn easily if the heat is directly applied to the skin. Warming in blankets
may help the mildly hypothermic animal but those that are more severely
affected can be warmed with hot water bottles, placed in a tub of warm (not
hot) water or on a heating pad/electric blanket. Do not place the hot water
bottles or heating pad directly on the animal, wrap them in a towel or blanket
to avoid burning the skin. If on a heating pad, turn periodically to prevent
overheating or burning of the skin. A hair dryer could be used for warming but
set it on the lowest setting. Periodically check the rectal temperature. Normal
rectal temperature for a dog/cat ranges from between 100-102 degrees F. A
hypothermic animal may have temperatures ranging from 86-90 degrees F to as low
as 60 degrees F in severe cases.

As the animal begins to warm, wrap it in blankets or towels
and go to your veterinarian for treatment. The doctor will be able to further
aid the warming process and provide additional stabilization of the condition.

Frostbite

Frostbite occurs when the body tissue becomes so cold that
it actually freezes. Severe cold can lead to lack of circulation to an area of
the body. If this continues the tissue is destroyed. The extremities, such as
the ears, feet, tail and in males, the scrotum, are susceptible to frostbite.
Dogs are especially prone to the freezing of the pads of the feet if in long
term contact with deep snow or cold surfaces. Frozen mud, snow or ice, which
has accumulated between the toes, can lead to frostbite as well. Long eared
dogs occasionally freeze the ends of their ears. However, short-eared dogs and
cats can lose portions of their ears due to frostbite.

An animal that is suffering from frostbite should receive
veterinary care immediately. Keep the animal warm and try to bring the body
temperature back to normal. To thaw the frozen tissues wet heat, not dry heat,
is preferred. Do not rub the frozen tissues as they can be easily damaged in this
state. As the tissue thaws it will become red and swollen and blisters may
develop on the skin. Quite often the animal will scratch or chew at the
tissues. Severely damaged tissues may slough (fall) off or require surgical
removal, leading to the loss of the tips of the ears, tail or toes. In severe
cases of frostbite systemic antibiotics may be needed.

If the case of frostbite is mild recovery may be complete
with no after effects. In severe cases tissue may be lost and the affected
areas may not regrow hair or if it does regrow it may come in white. Previously
frostbitten skin will be especially sensitive to cold due to the damage
suffered to the circulatory system in that area.

Salt/Chemicals

As mentioned, snow/ice or mud adhering to the paws can lead
to foot problems and frostbite. Try to keep the feet free from this material.
Another hazard/irritant to the paws is salt used for clearing frozen roads and
sidewalks. It is very irritating to the feet (just think what it does to your
car!). Small grains may become embedded in the paw leading to the development
of sores and infection. Animals may try to lick their paws in an effort to
clean this material, leading to oral irritation and/or gastrointestinal
disturbances.

To prevent such problems from developing keep your pet away
from surfaces that have been heavily treated with salt or thawing chemicals. If
these materials are used in your area get in the habit of cleaning (and drying)
the feet, getting between the toes to remove any salt and packed snow/mud,
after your pet has been outside. Boots may be helpful if your pet is especially
sensitive to these products. Feet that have become irritated will benefit from
topical or systemic antibiotics, if severe. Seek veterinary care if the feet
develop sores or irritations.

Antifreeze
(Ethylene Glycol) Toxicity

A serious winter danger is antifreeze poisoning. The problem
is not limited only to the winter but most commonly occurs in winter, spring
and fall when people are draining and flushing their radiators/coolant systems.
Antifreeze has a sweet odor and pleasing taste for animals. However, it is
extremely toxic and can produce severe, irreversible kidney damage. Only a
small amount can be toxic. High blood levels can be reached in 1-3 hours after
ingestion, illness develops within 24 hours and death can occur in less than 2
days. Signs of poisoning include, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea,
depression, incoordination and staggering. As the disease progresses they may
show difficulty breathing, rapid heart rate, lowered body temperature, muscle
twitching, convulsions and acute renal failure. The animal becomes drowsy, can
go into a coma and die.

If you believe that your pet has been exposed to antifreeze,
seek veterinary care immediately. If you wait until symptoms develop
irreversible damage may have already occurred and it may be too late. However,
this is such a severe condition, that even with proper treatment some animals
may not survive. Your veterinarian may have to treat the poisoning with intravenous
fluids for 2-3 days and hopefully the treatment will be successful.

The best way to avoid this is to take precautions when using
antifreeze and monitor your pet when outside to be sure that it is not lapping
up any strange liquids. During the draining of your radiator collect the
antifreeze in a container that can be sealed and follow the proper procedure in
your community for its disposal. If after changing and filling your radiator
check for the presence of antifreeze on the floor or street in your work area.
Clean any spills that may have occurred. Such spills are a danger to your pets
and any animals that come in contact with it, pet or wildlife. If your neighbor
is not following safe practices bring their attention to this potential risk
for animals and children. If you have partial containers of unused antifreeze,
make sure that they are properly sealed and placed in an area away from pets
and children. Antifreezes are now available that are non-toxic and if you are
concerned about the potential hazard of antifreeze poisoning these should be
used.

Space Heaters

During the winter months we hear of numerous unfortunate
fires that are started by space heaters. Space heaters can be dangerous when
used around pets. They may chew on the electrical cords causing electrical
burns or fraying the cords so they pose a fire hazard. Always check the cords
for any unusual signs of wear and tear. An even more serious danger is the
possibility that your pets may accidentally knock over the heater leading to
the development of a fire. If you are not around to monitor your pets or space
heater do not leave it turned on.

Conclusion

Hopefully this discussion will prove helpful to you in the
prevention of the unfortunate injuries and deaths that occur in pets during the
winter. The sad fact is that these occurrences can be avoided with the
implementation of proper precautions. The care of our pets is a great
responsibility. They provide us with so much love and affection, we should take
the proper steps to insure their health and safety.

Two of the references used for this article were A Dog for All Seasons and A Cat for All Seasons by Jane
Leon. If you desire further information about seasonal hazards in dogs and cats
these books are excellent sources.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

“I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother”: Mom Blogger Pleads for Help … And Calls for National Dialogue on Mental Illness

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Many
questions and causes for action are coming out of the tragedy that
occurred on December 14 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown,
Connecticut. One of those questions is how can we as a country and as a
society better address and respond to mental illness?

Former
Pennsylvania Governor and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge
weighed in on this issue of mounting importance, saying that it’s very
important that the discussion on what to do focuses not
just on the Second Amendment, but on the profile of the individuals who
have carried out the major mass shootings of recent memory, such as
Jared Loughner, Seung-Hui Cho, James Holmes, and now, Adam Lanza. All of
the men were under 25 years of age, all had previously had
interventions from school psychologists and had taken medication
intermittently.

Ridge continued, adding that many of them had talked about suicide or about killing people, in general.
One mother and blogger’s desperate plea for help has gone viral on the internet
with the headline “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother” … and its raw honesty has
struck a chord with so many. She penned it directly following the
Newtown shooting. In it, she describes the struggle she and other
parents of children with mental illness face … and the lack of resources
available to help them. She writes of a son whose mood and temper turn
on a dime, saying that she has shown up at the hospital after her son
has threatened to kill her and her other children, while then the next
day the same son is docile, loving, and promising to be different:

“No
one wants to send a 13-year-old genius who loves Harry Potter and his
snuggle animal collection to jail. But our society, with its stigma on
mental illness and its broken health care system, does not provide us
with other options. Then, another tortured soul shoots up a fast food
restaurant. A mall. A kindergarten classroom. And we wring our hands and
say, ‘Something must be done.’
I agree that something must be
done. It’s time for a meaningful, nation-wide conversation about mental
health. That’s the only way our nation can ever truly heal.
God help me. God help Michael. God help us all. “

Ridge
called her a hero. “She’s a heroine in my mind because she’s raised in a
very public way a situation that frankly for a lot of parents would be
very difficult for them to raise … which is that her son has a mental
health challenge.” Ridge says that as a society, we stigmatize instead
of reaching out and trying to help.
Something needs to be done, and be done soon, Ridge said.

According to VPI, these were the most common reasons pets visited the veterinarian during the holiday season last year.

Dec 10, 2012FIRSTLINE

From snacking on human treats to biting colorful light bulbs, as the
winter holiday season draws closer, remind pet owners that they must
keep a watchful eye on their four-legged friends. In 2011, Veterinary
Pet Insurance (VPI) policyholders spent more than $22.8 million on
medical conditions commonly associated with the holidays. The company
recently sorted its database of more than 485,000 insured pets to
determine the 10 most common holiday-related medical conditions last
year. Here are the results:

The
most expensive condition on the list, intestinal foreign body,
surgical, cost an average of $2,328 per pet, while enteritis, the least
expensive condition on the list, cost an average of $105 per pet. The
most common condition on the list, gastritis, cost an average of $279
per pet. In order to ensure a safe holiday season, remind pet owners
should safeguard their homes and protect their furry friends from
potential holiday dangers.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Once again not a specific animal related topic, but one that should be of great interest. A discussion of the disease outbreaks in the United States in 2012. The link from the AVMA Pet Health SmartBrief.

(I have an interest in this type of information being a parent, of course, but as a veterinarian I try to keep abreast of various disease conditions occurring in the United States, as well as the potential to affect the animal population. My concentration for my Master's degree was parasitology, immunology, and medical entomology (study of bugs of medical significance).

Outbreaks in the United States 2012: A year in review

This was an active year for outbreaks in the United
States, some more common than others. In this review, I will summarize
what 2012 brought us in the world of infectious disease outbreaks (this
list is by no means all inclusive).

The United States was struck by a most unusual and preventable
outbreak of fungal meningitis and related infections due to an
injectable steroid called methylprednisolone acetate manufactured by the
Framingham, Massachusetts company, New England Compounding Center
(NECC).

A variety of different molds were found to be contaminating the steroid including 112 cases of Exserohilum rostratum and 1 Aspergillus fumigatus, a variety of other fungi have also been identified in clinical specimens from fifteen case-patients: 5 otherAspergillus spp, 5 Cladosporium spp, 1 Bipolaris species, 1 coelomycete fungus, 1 Paecilomyces sp., 1 Penicillium sp, and 1 Stachybotrys chartarum.

As the investigation progressed, a whole host of events have
happened–NECC recalled all their products, other companies were linked
to the outbreak, a plethora of lawsuits, Congressional inquiries and
criticism of the FDA.

Dallas County, Texas was referred to as the “epicenter” of the outbreak. Eighty
percent of the cases have been reported from 13 states (Texas,
California, Louisiana, Illinois, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan,
Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado, Arizona, Ohio, and New York) and a third
of all cases have been reported from Texas.

Hantavirus
A hantavirus outbreak linked to staying at the Signature Tent Cabins
in Curry Village in Yosemite National Park received a lot of media
attention in 2012.

According to the National Park Service (NPS), received confirmations
from national and state public health agencies of hantavirus infection
in 10 individuals who stayed one night or more in Yosemite since June of
this year. Nine of the confirmed cases developed hantavirus pulmonary
syndrome (HPS).

Three cases of HPS have resulted in fatality; the seven other
individuals have recovered. The confirmed cases of hantavirus infection
were in eight individuals from California, one from Pennsylvania, and
one from West Virginia.

Pertussis
The US was hit especially hard by pertussis or whooping cough this year.
The latest provisional counts from the CDC reveals, as of Dec. 1, there
were more than 38,000 cases of pertussis and 16 deaths in 2012.
Certain states saw marked increases in whooping cough in 2012 as
compared to the year prior. For example, in Washington state, there have
been 4,626 cases reported statewide through December 8, 2012, compared
to 739 reported cases in 2011 during the same time period.

Minnesota was another one. As of November 29, 2012, 4,174 cases have
been reported statewide. 661 pertussis cases were reported in 2011.

I am Adam Lanza’s Mother

It's time to talk about mental illness

Friday’s horrific national tragedy—the murder of 20
children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in New Town,
Connecticut—has ignited a new discussion on violence in America. In
kitchens and coffee shops across the country, we tearfully debate the
many faces of violence in America: gun culture, media violence, lack of
mental health services, overt and covert wars abroad, religion, politics
and the way we raise our children. Liza Long, a writer based in Boise,
says it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental
illness.

Three days before 20 year-old Adam Lanza killed his mother, then
opened fire on a classroom full of Connecticut kindergartners, my
13-year old son Michael (name changed) missed his bus because he was
wearing the wrong color pants.

“I can wear these pants,” he said, his tone increasingly belligerent,
the black-hole pupils of his eyes swallowing the blue irises.

“They told me I could wear these,” he insisted. “You’re a stupid
bitch. I can wear whatever pants I want to. This is America. I have
rights!”

“You can’t wear whatever pants you want to,” I said, my tone affable,
reasonable. “And you definitely cannot call me a stupid bitch. You’re
grounded from electronics for the rest of the day. Now get in the car,
and I will take you to school.”

I live with a son who is mentally ill. I love my son. But he terrifies me.

A few weeks ago, Michael pulled a knife and threatened to kill me and
then himself after I asked him to return his overdue library books. His
7 and 9 year old siblings knew the safety plan—they ran to the car and
locked the doors before I even asked them to. I managed to get the knife
from Michael, then methodically collected all the sharp objects in the
house into a single Tupperware container that now travels with me.
Through it all, he continued to scream insults at me and threaten to
kill or hurt me.

That conflict ended with three burly police officers and a paramedic
wrestling my son onto a gurney for an expensive ambulance ride to the
local emergency room. The mental hospital didn’t have any beds that day,
and Michael calmed down nicely in the ER, so they sent us home with a
prescription for Zyprexa and a follow-up visit with a local pediatric
psychiatrist.

We still don’t know what’s wrong with Michael. Autism spectrum, ADHD,
Oppositional Defiant or Intermittent Explosive Disorder have all been
tossed around at various meetings with probation officers and social
workers and counselors and teachers and school administrators. He’s been
on a slew of antipsychotic and mood altering pharmaceuticals, a Russian
novel of behavioral plans. Nothing seems to work.

At the start of seventh grade, Michael was accepted to an accelerated
program for highly gifted math and science students. His IQ is off the
charts. When he’s in a good mood, he will gladly bend your ear on
subjects ranging from Greek mythology to the differences between
Einsteinian and Newtonian physics to Doctor Who. He’s in a good mood
most of the time. But when he’s not, watch out. And it’s impossible to
predict what will set him off.

Several weeks into his new junior high school, Michael began
exhibiting increasingly odd and threatening behaviors at school. We
decided to transfer him to the district’s most restrictive behavioral
program, a contained school environment where children who can’t
function in normal classrooms can access their right to free public
babysitting from 7:30-1:50 Monday through Friday until they turn 18.

The morning of the pants incident, Michael continued to argue with me
on the drive. He would occasionally apologize and seem remorseful.
Right before we turned into his school parking lot, he said, “Look, Mom,
I’m really sorry. Can I have video games back today?”

“No way,” I told him. “You cannot act the way you acted this morning
and think you can get your electronic privileges back that quickly.”

His face turned cold, and his eyes were full of calculated rage.
“Then I’m going to kill myself,” he said. “I’m going to jump out of this
car right now and kill myself.”

That was it. After the knife incident, I told him that if he ever
said those words again, I would take him straight to the mental
hospital, no ifs, ands, or buts. I did not respond, except to pull the
car into the opposite lane, turning left instead of right.

“Where are you taking me?” he said, suddenly worried. “Where are we going?”

“You know where we are going,” I replied.

“No! You can’t do that to me! You’re sending me to hell! You’re sending me straight to hell!”

I pulled up in front of the hospital, frantically waiving for one of
the clinicians who happened to be standing outside. “Call the police,” I
said. “Hurry.”

Michael was in a full-blown fit by then, screaming and hitting. I
hugged him close so he couldn’t escape from the car. He bit me several
times and repeatedly jabbed his elbows into my rib cage. I’m still
stronger than he is, but I won’t be for much longer.

The police came quickly and carried my son screaming and kicking into
the bowels of the hospital. I started to shake, and tears filled my
eyes as I filled out the paperwork—“Were there any difficulties with… at
what age did your child… were there any problems with.. has your child
ever experienced.. does your child have…”

At least we have health insurance now. I recently accepted a position
with a local college, giving up my freelance career because when you
have a kid like this, you need benefits. You’ll do anything for
benefits. No individual insurance plan will cover this kind of thing.

For days, my son insisted that I was lying—that I made the whole
thing up so that I could get rid of him. The first day, when I called to
check up on him, he said, “I hate you. And I’m going to get my revenge
as soon as I get out of here.”

By day three, he was my calm, sweet boy again, all apologies and
promises to get better. I’ve heard those promises for years. I don’t
believe them anymore.

On the intake form, under the question, “What are your expectations for treatment?” I wrote, “I need help.”
And I do. This problem is too big for me to handle on my own.
Sometimes there are no good options. So you just pray for grace and
trust that in hindsight, it will all make sense.

I am sharing this story because I am Adam Lanza’s mother. I am Dylan
Klebold’s and Eric Harris’s mother. I am Jason Holmes’s mother. I am
Jared Loughner’s mother. I am Seung-Hui Cho’s mother. And these boys—and
their mothers—need help. In the wake of another horrific national
tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about
mental illness.

According to Mother Jones, since 1982, 61 mass murders involving firearms
have occurred throughout the country. Of these, 43 of the killers were
white males, and only one was a woman. Mother Jones focused on whether
the killers obtained their guns legally (most did). But this highly
visible sign of mental illness should lead us to consider how many
people in the U.S. live in fear, like I do.

When I asked my son’s social worker about my options, he said that
the only thing I could do was to get Michael charged with a crime. “If
he’s back in the system, they’ll create a paper trail,” he said. “That’s
the only way you’re ever going to get anything done. No one will pay
attention to you unless you’ve got charges.”

I don’t believe my son belongs in jail. The chaotic environment
exacerbates Michael’s sensitivity to sensory stimuli and doesn’t deal
with the underlying pathology. But it seems like the United States is
using prison as the solution of choice for mentally ill people.
According to Human Rights Watch, the number of mentally ill inmates in
U.S. prisons quadrupled from 2000 to 2006, and it continues to rise—in
fact, the rate of inmate mental illness is five times greater (56 percent) than in the non-incarcerated population.

With state-run treatment centers and hospitals shuttered, prison is
now the last resort for the mentally ill—Rikers Island, the LA County
Jail and Cook County Jail in Illinois housed the nation’s largest treatment centers in 2011.

No one wants to send a 13-year old genius who loves Harry Potter and
his snuggle animal collection to jail. But our society, with its stigma
on mental illness and its broken healthcare system, does not provide us
with other options. Then another tortured soul shoots up a fast food
restaurant. A mall. A kindergarten classroom. And we wring our hands and
say, “Something must be done.”

I agree that something must be done. It’s time for a meaningful,
nation-wide conversation about mental health. That’s the only way our
nation can ever truly heal.

Monday, December 10, 2012

I found an interesting post on the AVMA Pet Health SmartBrief. It was an article describing "bucket lists" clients made for their pets. I thought it was worth sharing. What would your pet's "bucket list" be?

The Bucket List for Pets

By Ann Hohenhaus, DVM

For me, one of the most charming movies ever is the 2007 release “The
Bucket List,” starring two of my favorite actors, Morgan Freeman and
Jack Nicholson. In the film, two dying men team up to create their
bucket lists – lists of adventures they hope to complete before they
“kick the bucket.”
Last summer, a young boy named Cole created a bucket list, or as he
called it, a “lick it list,” for his dying service dog, Bingo. The list
went viral and the dog received treats from all over the world, which
allowed him to tick off one item on his bucket list.
Since the Cole and Bingo story hit the news, several of my pet
families have spent their pet’s last days treating them to adventures. I
thought my readers would enjoy these stories and the wonderful memories
they must have created for the dogs and their families.

Bicoastal Dottie
Always one of our favorites, Dottie the American Bulldog got a
cross-country trip and her own backyard as part of her bucket list.
Dottie loved the beach, and in this video clip
you can see how much she enjoys the sand and surf despite the fact that
her lymphoma is out of remission for the third time. She spent her last
New York days at the beach while her family organized their westward
move. Dottie’s cat flew economy class to California, but Dottie went in
style on a cross-country road trip with her best friend, Henry. Dottie
emailed me from exotic places along the way like Nebraska and Colorado!
At the end of the long trip was a surprise – a new house with a backyard
– something most New York City dogs can only imagine, but Dottie got to
cross off her list.

The red convertible
Safety in the car is as important for dogs as it is for humans,
and I recommend dogs ride with a restraint device and the windows
rolled up. Although dogs love to ride with the wind in their muzzles, it
is just not a safe way to travel. The bucket list of one dog, Rufus,
included a ride in the family’s red convertible. Not the best vehicle
for dog safety, but on one of his last days, the boys played hooky from
school and took their beloved dog on the ride of his life with the top
down and the wind in his face.

A can of Alpo
In her 2011 book, I Remember Nothing, Nora Ephron wrote two lists, one of which was a bucket list of sorts. Her “What I Will Miss” list includes everyday joys we take for granted: favorite foods, a walk in the park, and our own comfy bed.

I suspect simple things might be on your dog’s bucket list too.
Louie, the standard poodle, got one of those simple things in life: a
can of Alpo dog food. Louie’s family felt the enlargement of the lymph
nodes, indicating the return of his cancer. Shocked by how quickly the
lymph nodes increased in size and wanting to give his dog something he
had never experienced before, his owner rushed to the store for a can of
Alpo dog food. Louie enthusiastically responded by gulping down the
entire can in one sitting. Simple and satisfying.

Friday, November 30, 2012

In one of our previous blogs, I
had written about the “Aurora Birds” which had been confiscated from a hoarding
situation and were now being cared for by members of the Greater Chicago Cage
Bird Club Adoption Committee until they could be adopted. I had gone to the
facility where they were housing the nearly 400 birds for a prescribed thirty
day quarantine period. I checked out the birds, performed some disease testing
(which all turned out negative), and found them to be in good health.

I went to the facility yesterday
(11/28/12) to check the birds so that they could be released from quarantine
and put up for adoption. The birds were found to be in excellent condition and
are now eligible to be adopted. Details on how to adopt these birds follow in
one of the latter sections of this article.

In addition to the “Aurora
Birds,” I was contacted by Dr. Lisa Lembke, from McHenry County Animal Control,
two weeks ago to evaluate approximately 50 birds that were also removed from a
hoarding situation, this case in Woodstock.
There was a wide variety of birds, ranging from a macaw, large and small
parrots, quakers, cockatiels, parakeets,canaries, and others. In order to properly have these birds adopted, I
enlisted the Greater Chicago Caged Bird Club Adoption Committee once again and
A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife. Both these organizations are not-for-profits,
dedicated to caring for as well as finding loving homes for pet birds. Diana
and Nancy from the GCCBC, Rich and Karen from A Refuge, and Christopher from Niles Animal
Hospital, aided in the
examination as well as the disease testing of these birds. The tests were
submitted for analysis and all came back negative, so they are also available
for adoption.

Yesterday (11/28/12), the
aforementioned members of GCCBC, with the addition of Bob, Karen from A Refuge,
and Christopher, came out to remove the birds from McHenry County Animal
Control and take them to the adoption facilities.

The Birds Up for Adoption

The final tally of the birds up
for adoption are:

“Aurora
Birds” (held by GCCBC)

340 parakeets

36 cockatiels

1 sun conure*

3 jenday conures*

1 pineapple conure*

1 green cheek conure*

2 black cap conures*

*Note: The starred birds are not
currently available for adoption. The original owner wants them back, so the
final decision will be made after the court date of 12/4/12.

“McHenry County
Birds”

(held by GCCBC)(held
by A Refuge )

9 canaries4
cockatiels

1 pineapple conure2
pineapple conures

1 rose-breasted cockatoo1
rose-breasted cockatoo

1 blue and gold macaw2
eclectus parrots (M & F)

3 sun conures2
sun conures

2 ring-necked parakeets1
African grey

1 Senegal parrot2
caiques

2 quaker parrots1
diamond dove

13 parakeets

2 lovebirds

1 finch

1 jenday conure

The Adoption Process

The reason that these two
organizations were selected to be involved in the adoption of these birds is
that they have long-standing excellent reputations in the placement of birds.
Both organizations are not-for-profit. They have strict standards which are
adhered to because they do not want the birds to go to just anyone, they want
loving homes, with people who will provide proper care for these birds. The
birds will not be placed with “collectors” or into another “hoarding”
situation. For both organizations an application form must be filled out before
being considered as an adoptive home. Following the application, a home inspection
is required before an adoption can be completed. If the adopter/adoptive home
meets the standards of GCCBC or A Refuge, then an adoption fee is required to
cover the costs of housing and any medical care/disease testing completed.

Some particulars about each group
and the adoption process:

Greater Chicago
Cage Bird Club

Current members of the GCCBC will
have first choice of the adopted birds. Only members in good standing can serve
as a foster home for any of these birds. The rules for adoption are that there
is a limit to the number of birds adopted per household; 4 parakeets or 2
parakeets/1 cockatiel or 2 cockatiels or 1 large bird.

Contact the GCCBC for more details and to obtain the adoption
forms. If you are interested in adopting these birds and are not a member of
the club, you can contact the club via email, adoption@gccbc.org or
phone 630-640-4924. They have a waiting list of people who are interested in adopting. Strongly also consider applying for membership in the bird club as well
in order to become an active supporter of aviculture. For the Greater Chicago Bird Club (GCBC) yearly dues are $20.00 for
single memberships, $25.00 for family memberships, $15.00 for single
seniors (62+), $17.50 for dual seniors, and $5.00 for juniors (18 and
under). Check out their website for more membership information or to
check out their various activities.
The club website is www.gccbc.org.

A Refuge for Saving the Wildlife

Visit their website at www.rescuethebirds.org to obtain the
adoption application form. In addition to the McHenry County Animal Control
birds, there are many other parrots at A Refuge who are available for adoption
and need a loving home.

Closing Comments

Some of you may be frustrated by
having to fill out forms and be subjected to a home inspection; however, these
steps are necessary to ensure that the birds will be placed in the proper
homes. Birds are more than possessions or something to collect, they are
living, loving, feeling, thinking individuals who need to be in a loving
environment where they can get the attention they need/deserve.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Apes Have Midlife Crises Too

Sure, they may not be able to ditch their wives, buy a shiny red Ferrari, or pick up a 21-year-old at a bar. But apes have midlife crises too — at least according to a new study.

“The midlife crisis is real,” said Dr. Andrew Oswald, co-author of
the study of 500 chimpanzees and orangutans published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Great apes go through it also, so it is inescapable for the average person.”

The term “midlife crisis” was coined in 1965 by psychologist Elliot
Jacques to describe the time when adults realize their own mortality,
recognize that their existence is halfway over, and rush to make
significant changes in core aspects of their day-to-day lives. And since
the human species evolved from ancestors of modern apes, it would be
reasonable to suspect that they have mood swings just as we do.

To see if this was actually the case, researchers asked zookeepers
who had close relationships with their apes a series of questions to see
whether the animals were happy or sad, if they enjoyed socializing, and
how successful they were in achieving their “personal goals.”

As for what a personal goal might be for an orangutan or chimp, study
coauthor Alexander Weiss of the University of Edinburgh said this
included such lofty ambitions as climbing a rope, staking out territory,
getting prized figs or bananas — or even hunting down and eating their
distant monkey cousins.

Before you knock it, understand that these questions have been used before to assess ape aspiration.
“This questionnaire is a well-established method for assessing
positive affect in captive nonhuman primates. There is considerable
evidence for this measure’s objective validity,” the study says.

Finally, researchers asked the zookeepers the ultimate question: How
happy would you be to switch roles with the apes for a week?

In other words, Weiss said, “How happy would the rater be to walk a
week in the chimp’s shoes — even though chimps don’t have shoes?”

Looking at the zookeepers’ answers and the ages of the apes, the
authors concluded that great apes have age and well-being highs and lows
similar to those of humans — according to Oswald, a pattern that can
best be described as a “U-shape,” with the high points early and late in
life, and the nadir of existence in the middle. This U-shaped curve of
human well-being as compared to age, in fact, has been well understood
the world over.

As for exactly why this happens to be the case, who knows?

Oswald admits the study has limitations.

“It would be great if we could ask apes to fill out a questionnaire,”
he said. “However this is a human’s assessment of an ape’s well-being
and that’s what we are stuck with, being human.”

Despite the apes’ silence on the matter, psychological experts who
were not involved with the research described the findings as
“fascinating.”

“This is one more example showing that we may be more related to our
non-human primates than we think,” said Dr. Nadine Kaslow, vice chair of
the department of psychiatry at Emory University in Atlanta. “It’s
quite fascinating that this U-shaped curve is across species.”

For years, researchers have speculated that this U-shape is secondary
to social, psychological, or economic explanation. Dr. Redford
Williams, director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Duke
University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., said this study seems to
point at something much more inherent.

“It’s got to be biological,” he said. “It’s not just that you’re
depressed because your earning capacity goes down in mid-life, because I
don’t imagine that apes living in the zoo would have to worry about
those matters.”

Williams said the study shows there is hope for us humans.

“Don’t worry if you are having a mid-life slump,” he said. “Don’t
feel too guilty; it has to have a genetic basis. It’s not that you
screwed up to cause it, because apes are having it too.”

Thursday, November 22, 2012

I received this as an email from a friend of mine. I felt it was worth sharing.

Never take anything for granted, life is short, so enjoy every day, and be thankful for what you have.

How's this story for a reminder that "We don't know we're alive".

Her name is Katie Kirkpatrick, 21 yrs old. Next to her is her fiancé,
Nick, 23. This picture was taken prior to their wedding January 11th,
2012. Katie has terminal cancer and spends hours in chemotherapy. Here
Nick awaits while she finishes one of the sessions... Even in pain and
dealing with her organs shutting down, with the help of morphine, Katie
took care of every single part of the wedding planning. Her dress had
to be adjusted several times due to Katie's constant
weight loss.
An expected guest was her oxygen tank. Katie had to use it during the
ceremony and reception. The other couple in this picture is Nick's
parents, very emotional with the wedding and to see their son marrying
the girl he fell in love when he was an adolescent. Katie, in a wheel chair listening to her husband and friends singing to her. In the middle of the
party, Katie had to rest for a bit and catch her breath. The pain does
not allow her to stand a long period of time. Katie died 5 days
after her wedding. To see a fragile woman dress as a bride with a
beautiful smile makes you think... Happiness is always there within
reach, no matter how long it lasts. Let's enjoy life. Life is too
short. Work as if it was your first day. Forgive as soon as possible.
Love without boundaries. Laugh without control and never stop
smiling. Please pray for those suffering from
cancer. Keep this going.

Yawns Also Contagious in Bonobos

For most people, witnessing a yawn -- or even thinking about yawning
-- creates an irresistible urge to yawn, too. And contagious yawning, it
turns out, is yet another feature we share in common with many species
of primates.

To investigate hypotheses about the cause of the phenomenon, Italian
researchers looked at a group of 12 captive bonobos, which are highly
social animals that cultivate strong relationships. Recent research also
found that bonobo brains are relatively well developed in an area that
detects distress in themselves and in others.

NEWS: Why Is Yawning Contagious?
Over three months of observation, the researchers recorded more than
1,100 yawns among the bonobo adults. After each yawn, observers recorded
whether another animal yawned over the next three minutes. In total,
the researchers recorded nearly 300 contagious yawns.

Like in humans, the researchers report today in the journal PLoS One, most contagious yawns occurred within a minute after the original yawn.

The closer two animals were to each other socially, the more likely
they were to catch yawns from each other. And female bonobos produced
more contagious yawns than males did. The results support the theory
that contagious yawning is a form of empathy that is deeply rooted in
our evolutionary history.

BLOG: Yawning May Cool The Brain
"Even though we are still far from a clear demonstration of a
linkage between yawn contagion and empathy, the importance of social
bonds in shaping bonobo yawn contagion seems to support the hypothesis
that a basic form of empathy can play a role in the modulation of this
phenomenon," the researchers wrote.
"The higher frequency of yawn contagion in presence of a female as a
triggering subject supports the hypothesis that adult females not only
represent the relational and decisional nucleus of the bonobo society,
but also that they play a key role in affecting the emotional states of
others."

Photo: Like humans, bonobos yawn contagiously, but yawns are only infectious between close friends or kin. Credit: Elisa Demuru

Thursday, November 15, 2012

A very pertinent discussion about making sure that your pets are safe this holiday season.

Keeping Your Home Safe for Your Pets During the Holidays

Peter S. Sakas DVM, MS

Niles
Animal Hospital
and Bird Medical Center

7278.N. Milwaukee Ave.
Niles, IL 60714

(847)
647-9325 FAX (847) 647-8498

www.nilesanimalhospital.com

Introduction

The holidays are joyous and active times
for people and their pets. Our pets partake in many of the seasonal festivities
with us which makes the holidays that much more special. However, many of the
decorations and objects we have around the household during the holidays may be
dangerous to our pets. By taking a few precautions, we can make this wonderful
time of year a safe one for our pets.

Holiday Food/Cooking

Food is a very important aspect of our
holiday celebrations as many human waistlines can attest. Unfortunately, many
of these foods can cause serious problems in our pets and as any veterinarian
will tell you, this is the time of year that we see numerous gastrointestinal
problems in pets.

Food
Preparation -The preparation of food can be a
problem, especially for pet birds. Birds have a very effective respiratory
tract and coupled with their relatively small size are susceptible to toxic
elements in the air. During cooking if food burns or smoke is produced, any
birds nearby the kitchen could be at risk of fatal smoke inhalation. If
non-stick cookware is used there is another risk for pet birds. Under normal
cooking conditions, the cookware is safe but if polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
coated products (such as Teflon, Silverstone, and Supra) are overheated (over
530 degrees F), they can emit toxic fumes which are fatal to birds. PTFE coated
drip pans achieve high temperatures under normal usage so they should not be
used around birds at all. If your bird has been exposed to smoke or fumes get
them to an area of good ventilation and seek veterinary care.

Holiday Food/Leftovers
-Avoid the temptation to feed your pets leftovers from your holiday meals. Many
of these foods are rich; especially those that are high in fat, and can often
cause severe gastrointestinal disturbances in pets which could prove fatal.
Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) is a very common disease of dogs
and is frequently caused by the eating of table scraps. The pancreas plays a
role in digestion of food but when an animal eats a rich or fatty meal, the
pancreas is 'overstimulated' and the organ oversecretes enzymes leading to
inflammation of the pancreas and surrounding tissues. Signs of pancreatitis
include vomiting and abdominal pain, sometimes quite severe. The condition is
very uncomfortable for the pet and sometimes can be fatal. If you notice these
type of symptoms seek veterinary care.

Be
cautious with any bones provided to your pet. Sharp bones, especially from
chicken or turkey, may become lodged in the mouth or throat of your pet. If the
bones move further into the digestive tract, there is a risk that the bones
could perforate the stomach or intestines. This situation may require surgical
removal and if they do not receive veterinary attention, they may die. Provide
your .pet with commercial chew toys to avoid any potential problems.

Be
cautious with guacamole around pet birds. Most bird owners know that avocado is
extremely toxic for birds and severe reactions can lead to death. However, some
people forget that avocado is the key ingredient in guacamole. When you are
having holiday parties and with all kinds of appetizers available, such as
chips and dips, be careful if there is guacamole around with your pet birds
present. They may decide to sample some of the dip, or an unknowing houseguest
may innocently provide a taste of the dip to one of the birds with potentially
tragic results.

Chocolate -
Providing a piece of chocolate to a pet may seem like an act of kindness but
there is a risk that this treat could have serious consequences. Chocolate may
be fatal to your pet, especially dogs, because they are sensitive to
theobromine, a compound in chocolate. Dark chocolate has the highest levels of
theobromine. It may cause vomiting, diarrhea, heart irregularities, muscle
tremors, seizures and coma, sometimes with fatal results. Cats are rarely
poisoned due to their more 'discriminating' habits. Keep those chocolate
goodies out of the reach of your dog. If your dog accidentally eats some
chocolate, seek veterinary care immediately.

The Christmas Tree

Decorations
go up once a year and for a brief period of time. Your pets will be very
interested in new and unusual objects scattered around the house believing that
these are special 'toys' for their own use. Often these playthings end up
lodged in the intestinal tract causing a blockage. Many dangers lurk on the
Christmas tree. Overzealous dogs or cats have felled numerous wonderfully
decorated trees. Support the tree securely with a sturdy stand and wires.

The Tree
-There are several factors to consider with the tree. The trunk of a live tree
is often coated with chemicals, such as fertilizer or insecticide. When the
tree is placed in the stand and watered, the chemicals from the trunk
contaminate the water. If your bird, dog or cat drinks it, they may become
sick. The needles begin to fall out as the tree ages and dries. The needles are
not poisonous but are very sharp, can puncture the skin and produce abscesses.
If your pet tries to eat them, the needles can cut the tongue, lips and gums.
If swallowed they are relatively undigestible and can actually pierce the
lining of the stomach and intestines or cause a blockage.

The branches from artificial trees can be easily
pulled out. The artificial needles can be sharp and are always non-digestible.
If you pet chews on the branches, they might take in some of the needles. Just
like the needles from the live tree, they can cause gastrointestinal problems
such as bleeding and blockage.

Lights
-The lights pose many dangers. They often get very
hot after being on for a while and could burn your pet if they are touched. For
some strange reason pets seem attracted to wires and like to chew on them. So
keep a watch on your pets for this type of activity and check the lower strings
of lights for evidence of chewing. You might want to ‘pet proof’ the tree by
keeping objects, such as lights and ornaments, at heights that your pets cannot
reach. If you want lights all over the tree, then string them on the lower
branches, but place them away from the tip of the branches. The pets will have
a more difficult time reaching them if they are placed on the inner portion of
the branches.

Electrical
Cords -Electrical cords often seem delectable to many
pets, especially cats and young puppies. Chewed cords can cause severe burns
and sometimes fatal, electrical shocks. If your pet seems overly interested in
electrical cords, string or tape them in a position that is inaccessible to
your pet. If that does not work you can cover the cords with hot pepper sauce or
use bitter tasting commercial products sold in most pet stores.

Ornaments
-Avoid using glass ornaments around pets. They
are fragile, break easily and the shattered pieces are sharp. If any of the
pieces are swallowed, the glass can puncture the intestines, which could lead
to peritonitis and possibly death. Ornament hooks are also very sharp. They can
be picked up and swallowed, resulting in gastrointestinal problems such as
obstructions and punctures.

Be
cautious with 'edible' type ornaments. Sometimes the store-bought varieties may
not be edible and contain hardening agents/preservatives that could be toxic.
If you make your own edible ornaments, your pet may try to eat them. They may
knock over the tree trying to get a string of homemade popcorn or a gingerbread
ornament.

The
safest ornaments are one-piece, non-breakable and made of non-toxic material.
They should be too big to swallow. Also, have them out of the reach of curious
beaks, mouths and paws.

Tinsel
-One of the most dangerous materials to put on a
Christmas tree is tinsel. Animals are attracted to its bright finish and
flexibility. Cats are especially attracted to tinsel and if you have a cat, it
is recommended that you do not use tinsel on your tree. If your pet eats
tinsel, there is a good chance that it will become wrapped around the tongue.
As the pet struggles to remove it, the tinsel gets stretched out and wraps even
tighter. It can cut sensitive tissues in the mouth and stop the circulation of
blood to the tongue. If a strand is swallowed it can bunch up and block the
intestine. If this occurs, surgery is usually required to remove it. The best
advice is, if you have pets, do not place tinsel on your tree. You may lose the
aesthetics of the icicle effect, but your pets will be much safer.

Holiday Decorations/Packages

Many
people place decorations throughout the house including lights, evergreen
branches, holiday knickknacks and other assorted objects to provide a festive
environment. We have discussed some of these dangers previously. Lit candles
can burn a curious pet or could be knocked over and start a fire. Centerpieces
of dangling streamers and feather fronds are enticing to the curious pet. If
chewed and swallowed, these materials can cause an intestinal blockage. Icicles
and tinsel draped on a mantle are as dangerous as tinsel on a tree. Monitor
your pets and watch out for any evidence of chewing on these objects.

Wrapped
presents can pose a hazard to pets. They are attracted to the decorative bows,
ribbons and other frills placed on the packages. If your pet would chew and
swallow these materials, there is a risk of intestinal blockage. Food packages
wrapped as gifts and left under a tree can entice a hungry animal. With their
keen sense of smell they can sniff these out and decide to have a feast.
Exercise caution with these types of presents around pets, especially dogs.

Poisonous
Plants

Many homes are decorated each year during
the holiday season with poinsettias and mistletoe. These plants do represent
the season; unfortunately they are toxic for our pets and represent a problem
for curious dogs, cats and birds. Poinsettias produce a milky sap that is
irritating to the skin and eyes on contact and to the gastrointestinal tract if
eaten. It may cause irritation and blistering of the mucous membranes of the
mouth and stomach. Intake of large amounts of mistletoe may cause nausea,
vomiting and gastroenteritis. Make sure that these plants are kept out of the
reach of your pets. If you do catch you pet eating a poinsettia or a few loose
mistletoe berries, seek veterinary care immediately.

Relieve
Pet Stress during the Holidays

The holidays are stressful times for all
of us. The commotion in decorating, purchasing gifts and entertaining
friends/relatives can be overwhelming to many people. Our homes can be filled
with people, especially young children. Many pets, even if not aggressive or
territorial, are stressed by the increased numbers of strangers 'intruding' in
their domain. The high activity level of children can be a new and stressful
experience for many pets unaccustomed to this behavior. Birds can become
especially upset during the holidays, particularly the larger varieties of
birds. Routine is very important to birds and if that routine changes, they can
become frustrated and engage in abnormal behavior. These types of behavior
include, aggressiveness, screaming, biting or development of vices such as the
picking off or chewing of their own feathers in frustration, which if allowed
to continue can become a habit.

If
possible, try to provide your pets with a consistent level of interaction with
you so they do not feel left out. This is especially important with parrots.
Try not to let the pandemonium of the holidays lead to stress in your pets. If
you feel that your pets are uncomfortable around new people, it may be best to
separate them from the holiday activity. Provide your pets with an area where
they can 'get away from it all' and be alone. Cats may enjoy an intricate
'kitty condo' set up or even a cardboard box or paper bags in which to hide.
For pet birds that are nervous, you might have to place the cage in a quiet
room or, if that is impossible, partially or completely cover the cage so that
the bird has the ability to 'hide.' Make sure that your young guests understand
that they must let the animals rest when they are put in their area of 'refuge.

Conclusion

I hope that this discussion will assist
you in keeping your home safe for your pets during the holidays. During all the
activity, we must not forget the welfare of our pets and our responsibility to
keep them free of danger. If you practice the proper preventative measures, the
holiday season for your pet will be as happy as it is for you and your family.

The preceding discussion was garnered
from several excellent sources including: